Candidates for suburban races on the Nov. 5 ballot began seeking signatures on the petitions this week to run for office.

Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips talks on the “On The Record” podcast about the upcoming August elections and voter turnout. 

The five ballot questions to go on the Aug. 1 ballot didn’t make the deadline for public notice. There was no City Council vote to move them to November.

The seat is open after Jon McCreery decided not to seek reelection. Candidates can begin pulling petitions for the November election next week.

One Germantown alderman shared he does not plan to seek reelection. However, he plans to remain engaged in the suburb and continue to serve its residents.

As candidates can begin pulling petitions later this month, the incumbents in six Bartlett offices on the Nov. 5 ballot intend to run to retain their seats.

A law passed last year requires polling places to post warning signs stating that it’s a crime for someone to vote in a political party’s primary if they are not a bona fide member of that party.

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, is also running unopposed in his August primary after the state GOP kicked perennial contender George Flinn out of the primary.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. David Kustoff, both Republicans, and Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen all face challengers in the August primaries as well as the November general election.

The April 4 deadline to get on the August ballot saw action in races for five seats on the school board. In primaries for Shelby County state legislative seats, four incumbents won reelection at the deadline.

With the qualifying deadline passing on Thursday, Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman will win his fourth term as mayor since no candidates emerged to challenge him.

The Senate bill was sent to the Mississippi House for consideration, would replace the state’s in-person absentee voting system and open early voting to anyone who is registered, regardless of whether or not they meet absentee requirements.

With all 47 precincts in the county reporting, unofficial results indicate the DeSoto voters agreed with the rest of the state in primary races for U.S. president and U.S. Senate.

Plus, a look at primary vote totals for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. 

Voters in DeSoto County will cast their ballots in party races for President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Former County Commissioner Tami Sawyer meets Republican Lisa Arnold in August in the general election race for General Sessions Court Clerk. The presidential primary results mirrored the state.

The 12-day early voting period saw Democratic primary turnout drop to less than half what it was four years ago while Republican primary turnout was off by almost 1,500 from 2020.

Speaking to a crowd of about 100 constituents, Mississippi State Rep. Dan Eubanks and retired Marine Corps Colonel Ghannon Burton squared off against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s wife, Gayle Wicker. 

Early voting in the presidential and General Sessions Court clerk primaries ends Feb. 27. Super Tuesday early voting in Shelby County was almost three times higher among Democrats four years ago than it is currently.

Turnout through the first five days of early voting in the Democratic primaries shows to be half of what it was four years ago at the same time.

Arlington Alderman Russell Wiseman has chosen not to see reelection, opening the door for at least two candidates to seek the office. Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Wissman says he will run for another term.

Collierville residents have several local races to consider when they vote this fall.

A local Spanish teacher is running as a Democrat for District 83 in the Tennessee House. The seat is currently held by Rep. Mark White, who is expected to be the main sponsor of the school voucher bill.